The Apocalypse Explained

This book reveals the spiritual meaning of the Apocalypse, or the book of Revelation, which concerns the end times of the Christian Church when there is a falling away from the true faith. All six volumes of the original edition have been combined into this single work. Highly symbolic, the book has remained closed to readers, but was finally revealed after the spiritual sense of scripture was shown to the author Emanuel Swedenborg in heavenly visions. Instead of guesswork the symbolism of the Apocalypse is explained in detail, using a system of correspondences or archetypes with numerous references to other portions of scripture. In general, the Apocalypse treats of the last state of the Christian Church, which has been corrupted by false doctrines and heresies over time, and the renewal of the Christian Church as the New Jerusalem which descends out of heaven. The seven letters written to seven churches in Asia contain particular messages from Jesus for different churches of our present time. Much of the work describes a spiritual judgment which occurred on the Christian Church in heaven, especially the Protestants who separate charity from faith, and the Catholics who have sought dominion over others by means of religion. The mysterious contents of the little book of seven thunders are revealed for the first time in this work, which concentrates on the true doctrine of the One God, how he is one in person in Jesus Christ. The Second Coming is revealed to be a Second Coming of the Word, in which the hidden spiritual meaning of the Bible is now made known to all who wish to seek it. These revelations from heaven, which will form the basis of a New Christian Church, have been and will be opposed by religious authorities of the present Christian churches, as much of their doctrines are based on a false trinity of three persons. This spiritual battle is symbolically described in the final battle of Armageddon. Ultimately the prophecy of the Apocalypse declares that a New Church will be formed on earth, which is represented by the New Jerusalem which descends out of heaven. This book has been formatted for digital publication and includes hyperlinked table of contents, references, footnotes, and topical index.

The Apocalypse Explained was the original edition which Emanuel Swedenborg mysteriously set aside, and would eventually publish a much smaller edition entitled Apocalypse Revealed.  The Apocalypse Explained is about twice as large, and dives into many areas of scripture for each point that is explained in the Apocalypse.  It is not just an explanation of the Apocalypse, but also opens up many areas of scripture that hitherto have been left unexplained.  This work can also be found together with the Apocalypse Revealed in another work entitled, The Apocalypse Revealed and Explained, where the paragraphs of the two works are hyperlinked to each other. Both works can also be found together in the multi-volume work The Divine Revelation of the New Jerusalem: Expanded Edition.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772) was born in Stockholm, Sweden. He journeyed to England, Holland, France, and Germany to study and work with leading scientists in western Europe. Upon his return he apprenticed as an engineer under the brilliant Swedish inventor Christopher Polhem (1661-1751). King Charles XII of Sweden gave him a salaried position as an overseer of Sweden's mining industry (1716-1747). After the death of the King, Emanuel was ennobled by Queen Ulrika Eleonora. This gave him a seat in the Swedish House of Nobles, where he remained an active participant in the Swedish government throughout his life. A member of the Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences, he devoted himself to scientific studies and philosophical reflections that culminated in a number of scientific publications, mainly concerning minerology and physiology, where he had made several discoveries. From 1743 to 1745 he entered a transitional phase that resulted in a shift of his main focus from science and philosophy to theology. Throughout the rest of his life he maintained that this shift was brought about by Jesus Christ, who appeared to him, called him to a new mission, and opened his perception to a permanent dual consciousness of this life and the spiritual world of heaven and hell. Although he at first published his theological works anonymously, he became more well known to the public when he had a clairvoyant experience where he could describe a fire in Stockholm in 1759, over 400 km away. This was investigated by the German philosopher Immanuel Kant, who confirmed the event, and it was also noted by Carl Jung who borrowed from Swedenborg for many of his ideas in psychology. At other times Swedenborg demonstrated his clairvoyant abilities to multiple witnesses, including John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. Zen master D.T. Suzuki called Swedenborg the "Buddha of the North."